BAW

There's an automotive revolution happening within the occasionally drowsy city of Springs. Two critical firsts are happening there. One may be the statement of the very first new light vehicle maker, that's assembling and constructing automobiles in South Africa - in 40 years! Another may be the information of direct Chinese investment within the South African light vehicle motor market - for the very first time ever.

The business involved is BAW South Africa, and it's been proven by Development Corporation (IDC), and China Africa Industrial the Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Organization (BAIC), the Motors (CAM).

BAIC, via its BAW subsidiary, has a 51% shareholding within the business; the balance is shared by the two other shareholders.

R196 million is committed to BAW South Africa, that'll use people. Over 1 000 new jobs will probably be produced, when one variables in dealers and providers.

BAIC is China's fifth largest automotive maker, with annual sales income greater than 200 billion RMB, sales of 1,54 million whole vehicles plus many one profit increase position amongst China's six largest automotive groups.

The business has joint ventures with Hyundai and MercedesBenz. It possesses Beijing Automobile Works (BAW), which creates a variety of vehicles including Jeeps for the Chinese military, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), mini-buses and moderate commercial vehicles (MCVs).

BAW has exported its vehicles to Africa, South-east Asia, South America, the Middle-east and Russia.

BAIC also co-possesses Foton Trucks with Daimler. The firm recently bought the drivetrain, engine and floor plan design from Saab - and started a variety of automobiles based on this particular platform in the recent Beijing Motor Show. BAIC also possesses a considerable supply chain business, which includes joint ventures with international suppliers and leading Chinese.

BAIC recently employed as a consultant, former Ferrari designer, the celebrated Leonardo Fioravanti. A concept-car designed by Fioravanti was on display in the 2012 Beijing Auto-show. This as well as the SAAB initiative is a portion of the organization's drive to produce an unique model of passenger automobiles.

John Jessup, head of marketing and sales at BAW South Africa, notes the establishment of the business is really a automotive landmark for South Africa. "This business brings with it new job development and appealing product offerings in most leading vehicle market segments, beginning with the taxi market where we are creating many industry firsts with regard to servicing, funding and expert factory vehicle refurbishing. But, above all, this investment is an essential indicator of longterm dedication instead of 'arm's size' importer/distributor agreements," he claims.

The manufacturing plant, found in New Era, Springs, will create taxis on the semi knockeddown (SKD) basis but using a closing line just like that of completely knockeddown (CKD) manufacturing plant.

The taxi industry is considerable. "These vehicles are liable for 1,6 billion passenger excursions in South Africa every year," notes Jessup.

Jessup considers that there is going to soon be yearly taxi replacing demand for the tune of 250000 units in South Africa only. "Then there's the subSaharan marketplace, that'll experience replacing demand over this," he reviews.

BAW South Africa's Springs factory - with a yearly capacity of 9 600 automobiles - will take its first period of businesses within the following 3 years. Thereafter, the strategy is for BAW SA to go to complete CKD production at much greater ability levels.

Based on Tony Godycki, head of creation of BAW South Africa, there were when it came to transforming the plant from one which formerly created phones into one generating taxis several logistical problems.

"Firstly, we needed to eliminate tons and lots of phone and communications cable. Then there was the very fact it was very antiquated. For example, the entire plant was airconditioned with traditional water chillers, enormous compressors and subterranean tunnels," he relates.

On an entertaining note, Godycki says that 30000 of the employees in the telephone plant were girls - as well as the prior owners ensured that ablution facilities were more than sufficient. "I believe there are more toilets here than in the entire southern hemisphere!" he notes using a smile.

According to Jessup, the taxis are merely the start for the business. "We will even be going into the LCV, SUV and passenger-car markets from next year," he discloses, "although the decisions whether to completely import or locally assemble these models is still under evaluation."

But, for now, the emphasis is on appointing an excellent network of dealers. "We want to make 30 dealers initially. They'll be found in every one of the leading centers, and we'll have support dealers in significant rural areas. We have a really fine calibre of seller up to speed. We're, for instance, registering present 'top end' German and Japanese sellers and several other very reputable organizations. Up to now five support dealers and 25 complete dealers are appointed. I believe we will easily wind up with 35 to 40 quality dealers; the interest within the BAW brand is palpable," Jessup reviews.